Berli Jucker, the operator of Thailand’s Big C retail stores, has reported revenue of THB30.9 billion (US$979 million) in the first quarter, gaining THB1.6 billion (US$50.5 million) over the same period last year.

Network expansion was the main driver of the revenue growth, reported IGD, with 27 Mini Big C stores opening during the quarter, more than compensating for the closure of 13 convenience stores.

The company’s gross-profit margin decreased from 16.3 per cent to 15.9 per cent due to lower business-to-business sales.

Net profit declined 2.3 per cent due to increased staff costs due to store expansion and yearly bonuses, together with increased store-opening and closing expenses and rising utility prices.

As at the end of March, the company had 147 hypermarkets, 61 supermarkets, 797 Mini Big C and 140 Pure drugstores trading.

Like-for-like sales grew 1 per cent year on year while other income including rental increased 4.7 per cent over the same period, reported IGD.